[D-dimer determination in suspected deep venous thrombosis or lung embolism]

Publication

[D-dimer determination in suspected deep venous thrombosis or lung embolism]

Journal Paper/Review - Sep 1, 1999

Caliezi C, Holtz D, Wuillemin W A

PubMed

Citation

Caliezi C, Holtz D, Wuillemin W. [D-dimer determination in suspected deep venous thrombosis or lung embolism]. Ther Umsch 1999; 56:529-32.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (Deutsch)

Journal

Ther Umsch 1999; 56

Publication Date

Sep 1, 1999

Issn Print

0040-5930

Pages

529-32

Brief description/objective

Cleavage of crosslinked fibrin by the fibrinolytic enzyme plasmin leads to the formation of fibrin degradation products, among them D-dimers. D-Dimer can easily be measured in plasma or in whole blood by means of monoclonal antibodies directed against epitopes of the D-dimer fragment. Elevated plasma levels of D-dimers are characteristic for patients with venous thromboembolism (DVT, PE), but occur also in patients with infectious diseases, malignant neoplasms and heart failure. Given the high sensitivity of ELISA D-dimer assays with respect to venous thromboembolism it is possible to reliably rule out DVT or PE when the plasma concentration of D-dimer is below the cut-off level. Thus, it is possible to rule out DVT in about 30% of outpatients with suspected venous thromboembolism by the measurement of D-dimer-concentration with a validated assay avoiding further diagnostic procedures.